A DARLINGTON man has admitted attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Martin Luxon pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday morning.

The 54-year-old committed the offence between November 16 and November 21 last year.

Brian Russell, representing the defendant, urged the judge to adjourn the case to allow time for a pre-sentence report to be compiled by the Probation Service.

The court heard that the defendant had contacted a 12-year-old but no other details were revealed during the short hearing.

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Luxon, of Belvedere Road, Darlington, will appear at the same court for sentence on January 5.

Judge Chris Smith said: "It is a maximum sentence of two years and I have read the messages as far as the conversation went – it is plainly rather unpleasant but in the scheme of things it is not the most serious this court sees."

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